IDC questions about recovery

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newinab
newinab Member Posts: 12
edited January 2015 in IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)

I had my surgery Dec 14 2014. I had my right breast removed with no reconstruction, I also had a sentinel node biopsy. It has been four weeks. I have a lot of upper back pain in my right shoulder blade and a tightness under my underarm, feels like a ball is there. I was wondering did anyone else experience this? How long before I can drive or vaccum? Will be seeing my surgeon tomorrow for a follow up visit, and to find out if I need treatment. I am just wondering about how others felt after 4 weeks.

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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited January 2015

    I remember I wasn't as far along in my recovery at 4 weeks as I thought I might be, recovery took longer than I expected. I had BMX and no reconstruction so little different than you but I do remember that underarm lump, especially on side where they did SNB. Have you started stretching exercises yet? That helps a lot and loosens up that scar tissue and muscle tightness. Hang in there it really does get better week by week. I'm over 8 wks out now and still notice improvement. I think your doctor will release you for driving. I think I drove at 4-5 weeks past surgery

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  • newinab
    newinab Member Posts: 12
    edited January 2015

    Thanks hummingbirdlover for replying. Yes, I have started my stretching exercises and seem to get a little better each day. How long do I have to wait before I can sleep on the surgery side?


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  • grammakathy
    grammakathy Member Posts: 407
    edited January 2015

    I had the same surgery - single mastectomy and SNB. Everything seemed to move in slow motion for me. I was walking around the block with my husband two days after my surgery but other than that, I collapsed in my chair. I focused on the next appointment and what questions I wanted to ask. I didn't have pain in my shoulder -more of a general weakness. And I hated the gouge that the SNB left. I drove after two weeks because I wasn't on pain meds. Vacuuming - I waited 6 weeks. I slept on an angle pillow (and still use it a year later) and didn't sleep on my side for months - but this was also because I had had a second mastectomy and TE's placed four months later. It's been a long year!

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited January 2015

    Hi newinab, I had the same surgery 2 years ago. I call it the surgery of strange sensations. I named a few of them, one being The Claw, that was usually in the evening after a day of overdoing it and it felt like a sharp claw was holding that underarm and chest area. I found the area where the SNB was done was the most uncomfortable part of the whole deal for me, I had that ball feeling too. The regenerating nerves can be pretty irritating too, with burning, zapping and numbness, but it does get better.

    It is very early days for you and as the others have mentioned, you will get more relief as you do the stretching exercises. I did mine religiously 4X every day, for many months and I massaged my chest 2X daily to help with adhesions, too. I also went to a massage therapist because I had some cording I had to address.I have always been a stomach sleeper and I found I could put a pillow long ways against my body and I could roll over on my Mx side, in the first couple of weeks. I didn't drive for about 6 weeks because my surgeon said no driving, till I could take a fair hit in the chest from the seat belt!

    Vacuuming, wiping counters and sweeping are probably the most difficult movements in the beginning. We are all different, so recovery times differ, just know it is all normal and it will all improve with time.

    I did find, although I really felt great and didn't have any real pain from the surgery, I was amazed at how tired I was. I could literally fall asleep mid conversation, for the first couple of months.

    I am sure you will get more information from your Doctor today, let us know how you get on.


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  • hummingbirdlover
    hummingbirdlover Member Posts: 421
    edited January 2015


    It took a long time before I was able to sleep on either side, which was hard for me since I'm a side sleeper and I was forced to sleep on my back.  I'll bet it was 6 weeks or more before I could sleep comfortably on either side.  I'm golden now, until I start reconstruction that is and then, I'm afraid, I'll be sleeping on my back again, yuck!

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  • newinab
    newinab Member Posts: 12
    edited January 2015

    Thank you Grammakathy, Ariom and hummingbirdlover for your replies. I visited my doctor today and he said everything looks good with me. He told me I can now drive and do all my normal activities, he said "you will know your limits, your body will tell you". I got good news there was no cancer in my lymph nodes or outside margins. I will have to visit the cancer center in 3 weeks time and they will let me know if I need any treatments. Thank you once again ladies!

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  • Ariom
    Ariom Member Posts: 6,197
    edited January 2015

    newinab, that is great news, all the best!

    Take it easy, try not to overdo it, too much. Your body will definitely let you know!

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  • grammakathy
    grammakathy Member Posts: 407
    edited January 2015

    I'm so glad for your great news! May you continue improving

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